Geographic Information System (GIS) technology is a science that integrates the location of a real-world feature with user-defined characteristics to map, analyze, and assess real-world situations. Geography is inherent to GIS as the data always references actual locations on the earth. While still an emerging technology, GIS has advanced from command line, workstation-based software to cloud based tools and mobile applications over the last 20 years—making GIS a helpful mechanism for planning and municipal data development.

Serving as the Regional GIS Service Center for northeastern Massachusetts, MVPC provides GIS services and expertise to each of our 15 cities and towns. Our GIS Program has a suite of software and equipment to meet the needs of an evolving technical landscape and is staffed with three full-time GIS professionals with professional certifications (GISP). GIS is an invaluable tool to assist planning efforts and increases efficiency across the region – let us help you navigate the way.

Our Data and Our Work

Our GIS staff have extensive experience working with municipal assessing, planning, public works, engineering, and building departments.  Whether it be generating custom maps using existing data or creating custom data layers using our high accuracy GPS (global positioning system) our staff has successfully completed numerous projects.  Our technical offerings include a web-based GIS viewer, MIMAP, that is used by all sectors of government throughout our region and our mobile apps designed to help inventory and manage municipal infrastructure.

Applications

We offer a suite of data viewers and mobile applications that enable users to access and edit GIS data while in the field. These applications serve as portals to the wealth of data managed by MVPC and are designed for easy operation by all users.

Cartography

Our GIS staff are well-versed in the principles of map production and cartography and have demonstrated experience mapping everything from invasive species locations to municipal infrastructure. Using a suite of software tools, MVPC produces state-of-the art maps and graphics on a daily basis supporting our programs and our communities

Training

Navigating maps and apps can require a broader understanding of GIS and mobile applications. MVPC’s GIS staff provides hands-on and web-based training to fully equip users for successful operation of all of our systems and services.